Hydro-flame arrestor



P. w. NEWLAND, SR 3,109,593

HYDRO-FLAME ARREs'roR Nov. 5, 1963 Filed Feb. 26, 1962 F'IG.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,09,593 HYDR-FLAME ARRESTOR Paul W. Newland, Sr., Clyde, Qhio, assigner to Ansul Chemical Company, Marinette, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,508

l 2 Claims. (Cl. 239-275) This invention relates to a hydro llame arrester and more speciiically is related to a new land improved method a-nd nozzle yfor projecting a hre extinguishing agent in a planar stream of considerable dimensions.

In the field `of; tire iighting and fire protection there are numerous instances where it is desirable to project the extinguishing agent, water, in a large flat fan-shaped stream or curtain. For example, a fan-shaped stream may be used as a curtain to protect structures which are not burning but which are in a location where they are in imminent danger of being ignited by adjacent a'ines. A fan-shaped water curtain may also be used to protect tire fighters from the heat of the ire and enable them to approach the source `of the tire much closer than is possible with conventional extinguishing apparatus. The curtain protects the tire ghter and streams of extinguishing agent are readily projected through the curtain. A hat fan-shaped stream or curtain may also be projected in a horizontal plane to distribute 4the water over a large section of a roof or building to extinguish tires which are in amimable liquids.

This invention is related to a new and improved method and nozzle for -fonmin-g a fan-shaped stream or curtain and is related, in pant, to the discovery that when a uid stream impinges upon a flat baille or platewhich is transverse to the axis of the stream that the shape and dimensions of the deflected stream will vary with the shape and dimensions of the baille plate.

In accordance with this invention a new and improved nozzle is provided for forming a fan-shaped stream wherein, without yany increase in the supply pressure of the fluid passing through the nozzle, results in a surprising increase in the size of the diffused iiuid pattern emanating from the nozzle and wherein the shape of the diffused pattern will remain substantially consistent over a wide range of supplied pressures. The pattern formed by the novel nozzle and method of this invention has a tan-shape and a uniform density, which, due -to its reasonable height and extreme breadth, results in good coverage.

Briefly described the present invention includes a tubular portion having a length which is about 4 times the inner diameter of the tubular portion and wherein a chordal-shaped plate having a radius which is about 5 times the inner diameter of the tubular member and a height which is about 3 times the inner diameter of the tubular member is mounted substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tubular body. This construction and `arrangement has been found to be far superior to other prior nozzle and deector arrangements and relationships.

For example, in one prior art device there is a square deector plate having the same height as but a substantially smaller width than the plate of this invention. This defleotor plate, however, produces la water pattern which is substantially smaller in width and height than the pattern provided by the present invention. The quality of the pattern produced by this device has discontinuities therein radiating `from the corners of the deilector plate.

In another prior device -there is substantially square 'deector plate, having dimensions approximately two-thirds those in the first example. This deflector plate results in a pattern which is even smaller in height and width than in the second example and the resultant pattern has discontinuities radiating `from lthe corners thereof and has a tendency to break up into a spray.

3,109,593- Patented Nov. 5, 1963 In a third prior art device the deliector plate has substantially the same dimensions as in the second example except that the upper corners thereof are rounded. Although the pattern formed with this plate has substantially the same height as that formed in accordance with the -method and nozzle of this invention, the width of the pattern is substantially smaller and the resultant pattern is not of uniform quality.

In addition to the superior stream produced by the method and structure `of this invention, another ffeature is that the uniform fan-shaped pattern which is formed results in a back pressure Iwhich stabilizes the nozzle and permits it to perform 4its intended `function unattended, and requires no additional support or stabilizing structure.

The invention comprises the novel steps, elements, arrangement of elements and steps shown and described.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object `of this invention to provide a new and improved method and nozzle for discharging a wide fan-shaped stream. It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved method and nozzle `for discharging a wide fan-shaped stream, the shape of which will not be affected by the delivery pressure of -t-he fluid. It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved nozzle for discharging a wide-shaped stream wherein certain arrangements and dimensional relationships produce new and unexpected results. A still further object of this .invention is to provide a new and improved nozzle for discharging a wide-fan-shaped stream of water, wherein the nozzle can be unattended when in operation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will beset forth in parut hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the steps, combinations and improvements pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE l illustrates the shape of the stream formed in accordance with the method and nozzle of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a wide view partly in longitudinal section of the nozzle of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the nozzle in accordance with this invention.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are not restrictive of the invention.

In accordance with this invention, as shown in FIG- URE 2, the nozzle includes a generally tubular body 1 having an inlet end 2` which has threads 4 thereon for suitably connecting the nozzle to Ia supply system such as a tire pump (not shown). The inner diameter and the outer diameter `of the body 1 are enlarged at the other end and form an outlet or discharge end 3. The discharge end 3 terminates in -a plane surface 4 that is substantlally at right angles to the axis of the tubular body 1 and lwhich extends over less than one-half of the total area of the end face `of the discharge end 3. The end face of the outlet 3 is cut away or recessed so that the portion 5 of the face is at an angle of approximately 5 to the surface 4, thus forming `a tapered discharge slot 7 between the rear face 8 of the plate and the surface S. 'Ille materials of construction are not critical `and both the body and plate of the nozzle can be made of aluminum, for example. The plate 6 can be attached to the body in any convenient manner such as by screws, as shown.

In operation the inlet 2 of the nozzle is connected by 3 means of the threads 4 to a source of supply such as a water pump. The stream of Water ows through the tubular body 1 and impinges on the surface 8 of plate 6 and is discharged through the tapered slot 7 to form thereby :a stream pattern having the fan-shaped contour shown in FIGURE 1.

In accordance with this invention, Ythe elements abovedescribed have a Vnovel dimensional relationship 'which provides new, unexpected and beneficial increases in the size and quality of the stream pattern. In the preferred embodiment (FIGURES 2 and 3) of the invention, the length L of the tubular body 1 is about 4 times the inner diameter D of -the body 1, and the discharge end 3 is slightly enlarged. As shown in FIGURE 3, the baffle plate has the shape of la, chord r segment of a circle and itsradius R is about 5 times 'the inside diameter D- of the tubular body 1, and its height H is about 3 times the inner diameter D of the tubular body 1.

Typical examples of the new and unexpected results achieved by use lof a nozzle made in accordance with this invention are set forth below.

Example Vl The nozzle shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 was connected to a re pump with G feet of 11/2 hose and operated with 1GO pounds per square inch pressure at the pump. The wind was 10 to 15 miles per hour and was parallel to the axis of the body portion 1. The nozzle had a nominal size of 11/2 and actual `dimensions as follows:

D 12%2 inches.

L 10 inches (5.6D). R 83/16 inches (46D). H 4%6 inches (2.51)).

The nozzle produced a good even fan-shaped pattern as shown in `FIGURE 1 having a width of 55 feet and a height of feet.

Example II A nozzle as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 having a nominal size of 21/2 inches was connected to a fire pump with 100 feet of 21/2 inch hose and operated 'with 100 to 110 pounds per square inch pressure at the pump. The actual dimensions of this nozzle were as follows:

This nozzle produced a pattern as shown in FIGURE 1 having a width of 80 feet and a height of approximately 40 feet.

It is to be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific elements and steps shown and described, but also includes within the scope of the accompanying claims, any departures made from such elements 4or steps which do not sacriiice its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. A nozzle for supplying a fan-shaped planar stream of water comprising: a substantially tubular body having inlet and outlet ends, said outlet having a largerdiameter than said tubular body portion, a substantially flat deiiector plate attached at its widest point to said outlet and having `one surface substantially perpendicular to the axis of said tubular portion, said deilector plate having the shape of a segment of a circle with la radius of about ve times the inside diameter of said tubular body and a height of about three times said inside diameter, the length of said tubular body being about 4 times the insirde diameter of said tubular body.

2. A nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein there is av tapered passageway intermediate the tubular body and the dellector plate.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,109,593 November 5, 1963 Paul W. Newland, Sr'.

1t is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 40, for "1,868,635" read 1,868,632

Signed and sealed this 28th day of April 1964 (SEAL) Attest: ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A NOZZLE FOR SUPPLYING A FAN-SHAPED PLANAR STREAM OF WATER COMPRISING: A SUBSTANTIALLY TUBULAR BODY HAVING INLET AND OUTLET ENDS, SAID OUTLET HAVING A LARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID TUBULAR BODY PORTION, A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT DEFLECTOR PLATE ATTACHED AT ITS WIDEST POINT TO SAID OUTLET AND HAVING ONE SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF SAID TUBULAR PORTION, SAID DEFLECTOR PLATE HAVING THE SHAPE OF A SEGMENT OF A CIRCLE WITH A RADIUS OF ABOUT FIVE TIMES THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID TUBULAR BODY AND A HEIGHT OF ABOUT THREE TIMES SAID INSIDE DIAMETER, THE LENGTH OF SAID TUBULAR BODY BEING ABOUT 4 TIMES THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID TUBULAR BODY. 